Health human resources: consider the health technology professions.

Any analysis of health human resources must take into account the critical shortages in the health technology professions, such as medical laboratory technology, medical radiation technology, respiratory therapy and other allied health professions. These professions are often overlooked or invisible to patients, but they provide a vital role in diagnostic and therapeutic services. If projected shortages are not addressed, there will be a major impact on patient care. Accurate human resources information about these professionals must be collected; funding for additional spaces in educational institutions is essential; and a reconsideration of scopes of practice to allow more effective utilization of health technologists' knowledge and skills should be initiated as soon as possible.